Rig build for video editing, need advice

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30 Oct 2012
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Hi all, first visit ever to the forum and it seems full of helpful information so I thought I would ask for some advice, to start...

My intention is to use this rig only for video editing nothing else.

I have been a pc user for years and I upgraded a few years back as my computer for everything and it’s been good but, starting to feel dated,

My current rig consists of –

• CPU- Amd x6 1055t 2.8ghz not overclocked
• MOBO- ASUS M4A88TD-V-EVO/USB3
• 12gb ram pc3-1066 'mixed brands'
• GT440 1gb GDDR5
• 250gb 7200rpm system drive
• 1tb + 500gb 7200rpm
• 2tb External back-up drive
• Displays - 22" WSXGA+ & 17” WXGA+ both standard TN
• 550w Corasir PSU

I have started up a video production company and have taken a keen interest in video editing using Adobe premier pro CS5.5 hoping to move onto CS6, we shoot only on HDSLR’s “for now” so was considering getting something that would maybe be future proofed up to 2k “for the black magic cinema camera” and MAYBE 4k why the heck not!.
I have done a few jobs on my current rig and it seems “ok” but I think its a little slow, I was considering getting an iMac as I wanted the option editing using apple native software and able to use pro-res codec and being able to export to all formats etc... but I held off to see the 2012 iMac and well they are... great? :rolleyes:

SO I have given myself 3 options and would like your helpful advice! That’s if you made it to this point =P.

1. Keep current Rig and upgrade it – Cheapest option
• maxing out the ram to 16gb,
• install SSD for the boot drive
• Raid-0 2tb drives for my footage
• 2tb drive for backup
• Use existing 1tb drive for export footage & 500gb drive for page file & media cache


2. Build a new rig with i7 Ivy bridge – will using existing case, PSU, GFX card, old 22” screen, old hard drives.

m7pq8.jpg



3. Buy an iMac... 27” 2011 used or 2012 new..


so there you have it, what are your thoughts?

Enjoy!
 
Definitely just get yourself a new rig. :) Well, you are upgrading, but essentially buying a full new rig bar the case, PSU.. :p

Your spec is pretty much spot on already, the only thing I would change is the mobo, SSD and the cooler is your choice really.

Motherboard - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-391-GI
SSD - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-150-SA (so you can ensure your OS and other apps like Premier Pro etc can fit on comfortably)
Cooler - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-000-PT (your choice, this is mine personally)

EDIT: I'm not a video editor, so you may find people with experience say the iMacs are more suited - if they are, go for it! ;)
 
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Have a read of this, some info you might find useful in helping you decide.

http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Vi...iting/0x4aebb06ba071d2b6a2cd784ce243a6c6.aspx

Good read. The article (to me) seems to basically say; get a pre-built workstation from Dell/HP, or atop end i7-based PC or iMac.. Not very decisive! :p

Although it did make me think a socket 2011 based rig may be more beneficial for you, although it would be a chunk more money! But Hyper Threading means you have 12 cores to play with on a i7-3930K.

EDIT: Here is a socket 2011 rig, few hundred £££ more but probably well worth it in the world of video editing. I don't think you'll really need another 2TB HDD for the page file, cache, etc. When you have 32GB RAM and a large SSD you'll probably notice the page file is barely accessed.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i7-3930K 3.20GHz (Sandybridge-E) Socket LGA2011 Processor - Retail £459.95
1 x Gigabyte X79-UD3 Intel X79 (Socket 2011) DDR3 Motherboard £164.99
1 x Samsung 256GB SSD 830 Notebook/Apple Series SATA 6Gb/s KIT with Norton Ghost - (MZ-7PC256N/EU) £143.99
1 x Dell Studio S2240L 22" IPS Widescreen LED Monitor - Black £139.99
2 x Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST2000DM001) £66.66 (£133.32)
2 x TeamGroup Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED316GM1600HC11DC01) £53.99 (£107.98)
Total : £1,150.21 (includes shipping : FREE).

 
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Also word has it that the Ivy bridge e chips will run on 2011 as well so there may be an upgrade route there.

Many people rave about the Mac's for editing music and video but i still can't bring myself to recommend an apple product.
 
Hey all thanks very much for all the replies! Cant believe how quick you got back to me! Your all awesome!! I've had a look at that videoguys post and found it helpful gave me a good base line to work from.

I thought about a workstation but they are just to expensive, and considering my workflow is currently with HDSLRs i think the best value in terms of performance is a self build using SB OR IB with plenty of ram/storage and my little GPU that supports the MPE in premiere pro via small hack. Since I'm looking for the most cost effective option is there anything left in the x6 or would it be best to "scrap" it? As how fast can the i7's really be =p 'semi joke'.

Like many people I probably don't really need a mac it's more of a want, but I have recently realised that a custom PC is just a better choice considering the amount of storage and that I'm still well under the budget of the base 27" iMac... Tho it does have a nice screen! =\

Out of interest has anyone came across a similar question on the forum regarding a rig for video editing as it would be interesting to see the hardware actually in motion.

Cheers
 
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